Etsy for Beginners: Buying, Selling, and Everything Else You Need to Know

Get your craft on.

If you're into one-of-a-kind items, you're either a total Etsy junkie or need to become one, stat. The site has revolutionized the world of buying and selling cool crafts online, but it can be hard to know what's worth purchasing and also how to get in on the shopgirl game yourself. To gain some insight, we talked to a few Etsy superstars.

First there's Francesca of Babooshka Boutique, a store known for its layering-friendly pieces that work on all body types. Then there's Sweet Peeps, a one-stop shop for boho accessories made by Jenny, a college student, and her mom Donna. And finally, we talked to Breanne and Logan of Bouton Bracelets, who specialize in personalized jewelry.

Shopaholics and aspiring store owners, take note—these Etsy insiders gave us some serious scoop!

All About Buying

Etsy is chock full of handcrafted goods, cool craft supplies, and vintage finds that you can't get at your local mall. Searching for an antique locket or a one-of-a-kind name bracelet? Then you've come to the right place, and what truly makes the site stand out are its handmade items. "It's all about products that are made individually," Jenny says. "Pieces that are from the heart!"

While fashion and accessories—especially jewelry—tend to rule the Etsy world, there's also home decor, art prints, and even custom party invitations. But how do you find cool shops on the admittedly overwhelming site? One word: Treasury.

The Treasury page is "an ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery"—in other words, a gold mine of amazing stores. "They're usually centered around a theme and feature the best of the best," Breanne says. It's also helpful to browse products by section or search the site for specific items if you're on a more particular mission.

When it comes to the quality of the product, expressing your concerns to the store owner is a must. "Etsy's conversation feature is great for one-on-one communication between the seller and buyer," says Francesca. "Also, use seller feedback and ratings to choose which ones to purchase from!" (She also notes this helped her as a shop owner: "Feedback from customers provided me with valuable critiques I used to make my product better.") Another piece of advice? If the user isn't apt to share information about their product, that's probably a red flag it isn't up to par.

How to Start a Store of Your Own

First things first: Have a plan. What do you want to make? Once you have your vision, start a profile and get involved in the Etsy community—you'll be surprised how welcoming everyone is. And of course, post some good pictures. "The number one thing I would recommend is taking great photographs of your product," says Breanne. "Amazing shots play a huge factor in getting your items seen and sold."

There are plenty of benefits to having a store on Etsy, including the platform itself and the visibility it provides. "Etsy has been a way for press around the world to discover and follow my brand, which has in turn allowed me to be featured and recognized by major publications," Francesca explains.

Another big plus is the artistic freedom the site promotes, which Jenny says was particularly important to her and her mom: "Etsy was the perfect platform for us to start our jewelry business. It allows us to share our designs with a unique and creative audience." Logan also emphasizes the strength of the Etsy community: "It's the relationships you create that will make you successful. It's not always about the money. Money comes and goes!"

So, are there downsides? Not really, though you do need to consider the small cost of doing business. Joining Etsy and setting up a profile is free, but each listed item costs sellers 20 cents once it's posted. Etsy also takes a small percentage of your sales (there's a 3.5% transaction fee on all items sold), but for most shop owners, it's more than worth it. "Some see it as a downside, but we're happy to contribute to Etsy's success because they contribute to ours," Logan explains. "We have seen 95% of our company growth come from the site."

Jenny agrees: "We're contributing to future entrepreneurs and giving them the courage to start their own businesses and do what they love while making income from it." Speaking of those future entrepreneurs, Jenny also notes that you need to be patient. "Opening a shop on Etsy does take time," she says. "There's no such thing as overnight success. But the wait and hard work are totally worth it!"